Football: Deer Park QB one of two to orally commit

Connor Means became quite comfortable with the North Texas coaching staff by late this summer.

One look at the Deer Park quarterback’s schedule over the last year explains why.

Means participated in the UNT satellite camp at his school in June, visited UNT twice and threw in front of head coach Dan McCarney and offensive coordinator Mike Canales when they went to the Houston area to see him.

The relationships Means built with UNT’s staff over that time was a key reason he committed to play for the Mean Green this week.

“I love the coaches there,” Means said. “I like coach Canales and the way the whole staff is motivated. I feel comfortable around them.”

Means is one of two players who committed to UNT this week. Dallas South Oak Cliff wide receiver Fonzale Davis also committed to UNT late Thursday after participating in the Mean Green’s Talon Talent camp for top prospects.

Oral commitments are nonbinding. The first day recruits in the class of 2014 can sign national letters of intent is Feb. 5.

Means, 6-4 and 205 pounds, said that UNT’s coaches told him they were going to take only one quarterback in the 2014 class and that he was among their top three prospects at the position.

He just didn’t know where he was in that top three.

“When they told me, I thought about it,” Means said. “They gave me a time frame. They wanted me to commit before the beginning of the season.”

Means decided to commit and grab that spot. He chose UNT over offers from Louisiana-Lafayette, Louisiana-Monroe, Texas State and Lamar. He was recruited by Canales and UNT recruiting coordinator Noah Joseph.

Means was a second-team All-District 21-5A selection as a junior in his first year as a starter.

Means said that he will graduate from Deer Park after the fall semester and enroll at UNT in January so that he can participate in spring practice.

“The coaches said they haven’t had anyone do that,” Mean said of enrolling early.

Means is the son of Deer Park boys basketball head coach Louie Means.

The experience Connor Means gained playing basketball helped him become a well-rounded quarterback.

“I am not the fastest guy, but I can run if a team needs me to run or throw in the pocket,” Means said. “I am strong mentally and can take a lot of stress.”

Davis could end up being one of Means’ primary targets later in their careers after finding a comfort zone during his visit to UNT.

“I liked the surroundings, and their team is like a family,” Davis said. “It’s like my school in terms of what they do offensively.”

Davis, 5-11 and 181 pounds, was a first-team All-District 11-4A selection last season when he caught 43 passes for 777 yards and nine touchdowns. He chose UNT over offers from Colorado State, New Mexico, New Mexico State and Iowa State.

ESPN rates Davis as a three-star prospect and has him listed at No. 155 on its list of the top wide receivers in the class of 2014.

UNT cornerbacks coach Ryan Walters recruited Davis, who attended the Mean Green’s satellite camp in Duncanville in June. He also planned to participate in UNT’s Friday Night Lights camp just one day after playing in the Mean Green’s Thursday night camp.

UNT safety Marcus Trice showed Davis around Thursday night. Davis said Trice helped convince him that UNT is the right school for him.

Davis said he planned to go on official visits to other schools but is set on playing for UNT.

“I wanted to commit early before the season to get it done,” Davis said. “I won’t have to be stressed and can focus on games.”

BRETT VITO can be reached at 940-566-6870 or via Twitter at @brettvito.

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